‘Fake’ defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary is ‘to make (something) seem real, etc. by deception.’ ‘Christian’ defined by Webster is ‘a believer in Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.’ Put the two words together and what do you have, ‘one who claims a faith in Jesus who does live as Jesus lived.’ You are thinking, no one can live as Jesus did. He is the sinless Son of God and you are right. But John writes if we claim to know God we should obey His commandments. Ok, so where do we start?
Let us start with God’s Ten Commandments. I am sure most of us cannot quote all Ten Commandments when asked on the spot, but most of us have heard of God’s Ten Commandments given to Moses in the book of Exodus. Upon hearing them recited they come to mind once again, and upon hearing them it’s time to obey. But an important note to remember is that obeying the Ten Commandments does not make you a Christian. In fact, you are unable to obey any of the commandments fully without the help of God through His Holy Spirit.
So how can we fully obey God and live our lives as Jesus did? Jesus came to fulfill the Law. There were many laws in the Old Testament days to obey and no one was able to obey them all but failed repeatedly. A sacrifice was needed to forgive and cover sin, therefore the many animal sacrifices that were performed in those days. Jesus took care of all the sacrifices needed for sin by laying down His life as the perfect sacrifice once for all. (Heb.10:12) When we accept Christ as our savior we receive His Holy Spirit to dwell within us helping us to walk in obedience to God.
The only way you can say you live in God is when God truly lives in you through the Holy Spirit when you accept Jesus Christ. There are many fake Christians in the world today claiming to know Jesus, but they are not walking as He walked because they do not have His Holy Spirit. Don’t be a fake Christian but truly walk as Jesus walked by knowing Him as your personal savior and Lord.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
Illustration showing different types of natural resources supporting life on Earth.
Scripture says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” (Ps.24:1 nlt) It’s all His for in the book of Genesis it says God created the earth. Our God has given us the earth to live in, manage it, and enjoy it. We could not do this on our own if God had not supplied us with natural resources created for our benefit. Just think of the natural resources that are vital for our survival. They fall into two categories, renewable and non-renewable resources.
Where would we be without the renewable resources God gave to each of us such as, plants, animals, freshwater, topsoil, and solar and wind energy created by the light of the sun and moving air currents. Not to forget coal, oil, and natural gas the non-renewable resources that has become a necessity in the 21st century. These natural resources were created by God for us to use and be able to live in and manage the earth. Without them we would not survive.
God has given us another natural resource that is vital to our physical lives, but more importantly vital for our spiritual lives, His Holy Word, the Bible. Neglecting the use water, vegetation, and all the other resources God has supplied us with will end in death. Neglecting God’s Word will end in spiritual death for those who refuse to accept God’s love for us through His Son. His Word was given to us to show us the way of salvation and how to live after accepting Christ as savior. The Bible continues to be a vital spiritual natural resource for every Christian. We cannot live without it. It was given to us for that purpose.
This week we come to the end of our study of Abraham in Sunday’s Biblical Insights. This man of great faith gave us much to admire and many examples to follow both good and bad. Although Abraham was a great man, he was also human and needed God in his life to direct him in all that God wanted him to do. Abraham was chosen by God to leave his family and homeland to a land God promised to give him and his descendants. Abraham would become the father of the Jewish people. So, Abraham set out for the Promised Land with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot. That, indeed, took a lot of faith.
As we noted in our study, Abraham was not only the father of Jews but is known as the father of all who believe. Abraham received the good news that salvation for all would come through him. The Lord told Abraham in Genesis chapter 12, “All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen.12:3 nlt) Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came through Abraham’s seed. God’s salvation for sinners came through Abraham. The gospel of Matthew in the New Testament begins with the words, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.” (Mt.1:1 nlt)
Last week we witnessed Abraham’s ultimate test of faith. God had told him to kill and sacrifice his son Issac on Mount Moriah. This great man of faith didn’t waver, at least not by an outward appearance that we can see, but proceeded with faith that God would raise him up from the dead or provide a substitute for his son. In this scene we discovered a foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion in Issac’s willingness and the Lord supplying a substitute. A sacrifice was needed for our sin and God provided a substitute for all who believe in His name, Jesus Christ, God the Son.
Of everything we covered in our study of Abraham, this is the most important connection to your life that you can make. Abraham makes a wonderful story. It is God’s story of redeeming mankind through the seed of one man He chose to become the father of the Jewish people. From the line of King David of the tribe of Judah, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born. All you need to do is have the faith to believe it. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Eph.2:8 nlt)
“And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’” Matthew 26:27-28 NLT
The iconic FIFA World Cup trophy stands proudly on the pitch before a match with a packed stadium
The FIFA Men’s World Cup has once again descended on the nations of the world. This year three North American countries will host the 2026 World Cup with the United States being one of the hosting countries. Soccer is the only sport in the world that is recognized and played globally. Therefore the term, ‘World Cup,’ is appropriate. It is available to all who qualify to participate in striving to win the World Cup. Sadly, there will only be one winner and the winning nation will celebrate the accomplishment of winning the World Cup.
There is another World Cup that is available for all who qualify to participate in where there are no losers. This cup contains the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. In the first ‘Lord’s Supper,’ which we continually observe today, Jesus told His disciples the cup of wine represented His blood that ‘is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’ It is available to all who qualify. Qualifying is simply accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup requires much training, practice, physical fitness, and teamwork. Those nations who make the cut are in the tournament but not guaranteed the victory. When making the cut with Jesus you are guaranteed victory because victory does not depend on your performance, but on God’s gift given through grace. It is truly a World Cup, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt)
‘“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,’ Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.” Genesis 22:8 NLT
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We do not know how much time had lapsed from last weeks story of Abraham’s and King Abimelech’s agreement with each other. Notably it is at least a few years. Chapter 22 begins with the words, ‘Some time later.’ Abraham is well over one-hundred years old and his son Issac could now be in his late teens or early twenties. Abraham had been faithful in believing God’s promise to him concerning the Promised Land and the many descendants he will have that will begin with his son Issac. That is why the events in this chapter can only be considered as an ultimate test of faith for Abraham. Let’s begin.
“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. ‘Abraham!’ God called. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’” (Gen.22:1 nlt) Here again we see Abraham’s willingness to hear and respond to whatever God asks of him. What Abraham heard was the last thing he thought he would ever hear. “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Gen.22:2 nlt) The Lord is testing Abraham’s love for Him over Issac. Notice the progression for effect when God says, ‘your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much.’ This is not going to be easy. A father’s love for his son is emphasized as is only natural. This is also the first time the word ‘love’ is used in Scripture and it is used here in this text. This portion of Scripture is a foreshadowing in several ways of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross at Calvary. First we note God’s love for His Son as noted at Jesus’ transfiguration, “But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.’” (Mt.17:5) God the Father loved Jesus as much as Abraham loved Issac.
Abraham wasn’t hesitant, as was his mode of operation, but prepared to set out the next day. He chopped the wood and saddled his horse which he could have had his servants do, but Abraham chose to do it himself. Abraham took two of his servants with him on this three-day journey to Moriah. The land of Moriah is the Jerusalem area. Mount Moriah is where Solomon’s Temple was built and the present-day Temple Mount is occupied by the Muslim Dome of the Rock. Abraham had plenty of time to digest and reflect on God’s instructions for him. I am sure he did not understand it but he knew God was faithful and always kept His promises. The Lord often tests us through adversity and hardships, although not in the same sense as Abraham, but He knows what is best and is looking for us to trust Him when those days come upon us.
As they arrived near the place Abraham said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey…..The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” (Gen.22:5 nlt) Abraham did not know what was ahead of him, but what he did know was that both he and Issac would be coming back after worshiping the Lord. Another first is found here as it is the first mention of the word worship in the Bible. Abraham must have had it in his mind and had the faith that God was able to raise Issac from the dead or that God would provide a substitute for Issac. With that, Abraham placed the wood on Issac’s shoulders, he took the fire and knife and the two walked together the rest of the way.
Along the walk as they came closer to the site something occurred to Issac. “Isaac turned to Abraham and said, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘We have the fire and the wood,’ the boy said, ‘but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?’” (Gen.22:7 nlt) Again, Abraham does not hesitant even though he is not sure how God will act says, “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” (Gen.22:8 nlt) Upon arrival the Bible says Abraham built an altar, he arranged the wood, tied his son and laid him on top of the wood.
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Abraham’s faith is on full display but let us not overlook Issac’s faith. Seeing Abraham’s faith led Issac to have great faith in his father and in the Lord God. Issac did not seemed to resist. He certainly could have overpowered the aging Abraham. But he did not, and willing submitted to his father Abraham. Here is another foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice in this passage. Jesus willing laid down His life for us. Issac is seen as a prefiguration of Christ. “And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment, the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Yes,’ Abraham replied. ‘Here I am!’ (Gen.22:10-11 nlt) The Lord was about to provide a substitute.
Abraham passed the test. He proved his faith through obedience and trusting in God to keep His promises. “Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.” (Gen.22:13 nlt) Another first here is the first mention of a sacrifice substitution of one life for another. God still required the sacrifice, but a substitute was needed. He supplied a ram for Issac. A sacrifice was needed for our sin and God provided a substitute for all who believe in His name, Jesus, God the Son. Abraham then called the place ‘Yahweh-Yireh’ (which means “the LORD will provide”) Yes, the Lord will provide.
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“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt)
“But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: ‘LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?’” John 12:37-38 NLT
In today’s broken world it is hard to have faith in someone. World leaders and politicians are the biggest targets when it comes unbelievability. News media outlets, social media influencers, some teachers, and professors are a close second in being untrustworthy. Even previous accomplishments on display are not enough to convince people if a certain person is one worthy of respect.
Perhaps you are one who struggles finding it hard to trust people, especially those in authority whether in government or in the church. In a sinful world it helps to remember there is no one perfect. Putting our trust in someone today should only go so far. Observing the person, matching their words with their actions is necessary. If consistent, it is a safe bet they are worthy of your trust. Seeing is believing is was once said, but even then some people will still not trust and believe.
In Jesus’ day even after all the miracles He perform in front of thousands of people, John writes many still did not believe in Him. In this case, seeing was not believing. Jesus may not be physically on earth today but there are still modern-day miracles taking place if you see them for what they are. People today who question the existence of God, maybe you are one of them, would like to see some proof in this troubled world. There is plenty of proof to go around. When Jesus Himself walked the earth performing miracles people still did not believe in Him. If Jesus were here today performing miracles He would still find those unbelievers not believing in Him.
So, what is the bottom line for the unbeliever? This same Jesus is still alive and active in the world today through the Holy Spirit. If you feel something stronger than your insistence there is no God or that all of us end up in a good place when we die, it may very well be the Holy Spirit drawing you to Jesus. Do not resist! Do not be as those who see but refuse to believe. Jesus is real. His salvation is real. Eternity is real, and hell is real. The Holy Spirit is leading you from unbelief to belief. You will not get there on your own. Follow the Spirit’s leading and accept Christ today and believe.
Lately there has been a coordinated effort to discredit Jesus’ words in John 14:6. I am sure it is not by chance. Video clips are hitting social media on this same subject form various churches, pastors, and denominations. All interpretating their view of what Jesus said. They claim that verse has been misused as a ‘my way or the highway’ theology that excludes people not ‘in the club.’ Some are in and some are out! One pastor explained the meaning as ‘Jesus is the embodiment of God revealing particular expression of the divine that is fully present and dwelling with us.’ These are words of promise according to this pastor that do not drive people out but invites everyone in. The pastor goes on and says these are not words of exclusion but of promise in love and relationship. What this pastor is saying is that all religions are accepted because Jesus’ revealing that God is with us no manner what we believe. That is not what Jesus, God the Son, is saying.
Another Pastor condemns churches throughout history that used this verse as ‘a doctrinal statement requiring a belief in Jesus as a prerequisite into heaven.’ This pastor said it is not that but it is the life Jesus lived and the life we live of joy and sorrow. It is saying if you live a good life like Jesus of joy and sorrow you will get in. We all know none of us are able to live our lives like Jesus. So, that can’t be true. And as another pastor noted Jesus is not ‘a gate-keeper at the Celestial gates verifying your ID in order to get in.’ But I am sorry, yes He is, because He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt)
Christians who hold to Jesus’ words of truth in John 14:6 without wavering and believing them as He spoke them are criticized as being intolerant. That’s OK. We should expect that from a world under the influence of Satan, who is a master coordinator of influencing people away from God and adapting to a worldview of Holy Scripture. Well-known author C. S. Lewis commented on this verse by saying, if this isn’t true there are only three choices that can be made. They are either ‘Jesus was lying, or not in His right mind, or Jesus was telling the truth.’ The choice is yours to make. No deep philosophical reasoning is needed with fancy words to convey the truth. It’s simple. Just believe it. If you are called out for ‘religious intolerance’ in believing Jesus’ words as He spoke them do not fret, you are in good company. C. S. Lewis and Jesus said the same thing.
“Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.” 2 Timothy 2:8 NLT
In life it is often said there are no guarantees. That is true as far as it depends on fallen human beings in a fallen world. There are no guarantees. A guarantee is only as valid as the one assuring that guarantee. The only person able to assume that role is Jesus Christ. Jesus made a number of remarkable statements recorded in the New Testament. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt) and “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (Jn.11:25 nlt) Jesus backed up those statements by rising from dead. It is the basis for our hope.
Jesus proved He was the only way to the Father by being the only one who was able to take on our sin, dying for it, and rising again. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead guarantees our salvation and eternal life with Him. Because He defeated death and now lives, we also will live eternally when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The apostle Paul said this was the Good News that he preached.
It is essential for Christians to always remember the basis for our hope. Jesus rose from the grave and defeated death. If Jesus did not rise, we would still be dead in our sins with no hope of salvation and eternal life. Christianity demands a risen savior. “If we die with him, we will also live with him.” (2Tim.2:11 nlt) There is no hope without it.
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life…..I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.’” (John 8:12, 12:46 NLT)
Three people warmly dressed walk down a snowy street in Utqiaġvik at dusk.
Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska is the northern most city in United States. Located within the Arctic circle, 1,300 miles south of the North Pole, Utqiagvik is the largest city in the North Slope borough of the state near Point Barrow the most northern point. Due to its geography Utqiagvik experiences six months daylight in spring and summer and six months darkness in fall and winter, although not complete darkness. On May 10th of this year Utqiagvik saw its last sunrise until August 2nd. Sunlight will be visible 24/7 for three months. The reverse is true when the sun sets on November 18th for last time until January 23rd. That is a lot of cold dark nights.
The residents of this northern Alaska town walk in darkness or light depending on the season. The dark season does bring with it bits of depression among the people longing for the sun to reappear. It happens frequently in other parts of the world during dark, snowy, or rainy days. Now, imagine several months of it. But the sun does reappear in Utqiagvik right on time as the God of creation planned it. Utqiagvik is in a temporary period darkness for a time and then the light appears.
The rest of us in the world, unlike the people of northern Alaska 300 miles inside the Arctic circle, are living within a dark, sinful, broken world 365 days of the year. People are longing for better days, for a bright future, for peace on earth, and for the veil of darkness to be removed for the light to enter. There is a longing to walk in the light. That longing can be fulfilled. Jesus said He is the light of the world. “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” (Jn.12:46 nlt) Walk not in darkness but trust in Jesus, the light that remains forever.
“God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:19-20 NLT
How many times have you been in a situation where you could not find the right words to say? How did you feel? Depending on the circumstances you may have felt embarrassed, not up to speed, or even frighten. You were counselling someone who needed help and your mind drew a blank or you were afraid of their reaction would be to what you were about to say. Whatever the case may be, Christians should not be afraid but encouraged for we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us through.
When Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim that the kingdom of God was at hand He told them to beware. They were be aware of the coming resistance. First of all, they will be as sheep among wolves. They will be handed over to the authorities and beaten for their spoken words. Proclaiming the good news of Jesus would have them arrested and put on trial. But Jesus tells them to take advantage of this opportunity to speak to these rulers in the courts and all who are present about the gospel.
Today in 2026 Jesus is still sending out His disciples (us) to proclaim the gospel. All that early disciples were to beware of applies to us today. There is an increasing negativity of Christianity worldwide. We are beginning to see persecution in countries where Christianity and the gospel was freely heard and accepted. Several European countries and our friends to the north in Canada have laws on the books to suppress Christianity by claiming it is hate speech. And I am afraid it is soon coming to America.
We need not be afraid when that day comes but encouraged. God will give us the right words to say in proclaiming the Gospel and He will give us the right words when we are put on trial for speaking those right words of the gospel. “For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Mt.10:20 nlt)
Word for the Soul 